What is Raynaud’s Syndrome?

Around 10million people in the UK are living with Raynaud’s syndrome – making it as common as arthritis and hay fever.

But what is it, what are the symptoms and how can it be managed?

What is Raynaud’s Syndrome?

 The experts behind herbal remedy PADMA CIRCOSAN explain: Raynaud’s affects your blood circulation and when you’re cold, stressed or anxious, your fingers and toes might change colour. When a Raynaud’s attack strikes, the blood supply to the extremeities (usually the fingers and toes) is interrupted in response to changes in temperature and emotional stress – leaving hands and feet with numbness or tingling, with fingers or toes turning white, blue and then red.

It can be so uncomfortable and painful that everyday tasks like writing or even buttoning up a coat can be difficult.

How can Raynaud’s be managed?

1. Spot the signs – Watch for changes in colour in fingers and toes
2. Keep a diary – Note down when an attack happens, and you can start to recognise triggers
3. Keep warm – Sounds simple but it’ll help. Layer up in thin clothing, avoid touching cold items or spending time in areas where temperatures fluctuate – think about how cold a supermarket can be, even a slight change in temperature can cause an attack.
4. Exercise – Gentle exercise helps to improve circulation and if you’re outside on a chilly day, keeping active will improve blood flow to your hands and feet.
5. Don’t sit too long – Sitting down for too long, like at a computer, can cause circulatory problems over the years. Take regular breaks, go for a walk, even if it’s to make a cup of tea.
6. Eat healthy – Certain foods like ginger, garlic and spices are believed to help with circulation so get creative!
7. Treat your hands – Keep a hand cream handy to prevent any sores or cracks from occurring, and help keep them warm by massaging them and rubbing them together.